As you’ll see, Walton takes issue with Genevieve Goodsil-Todd’s introduction to the book, and in particular her “problematic” and “irresponsible” position of supporting LGBT students without challenging “church teachings on homosexuality and the spread of harm and hate against LGBT families.”

Goodsil-Todd may not question and challenge church teaching on homosexuality, but elsewhere in the book I do. Indeed, as I noted inthisprevious Wild Reed post, it was because of such questioning that Archbishop Angelo Amato of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith declared, in a June 2007 letter to Archbishop Harry Flynn of the St. Paul/Minneapolis Archdiocese, that Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students: A Catholic Schools Perspective was “not suitable to be used in Catholic schools.”

In her introduction to Michael J. Bayly’s Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students, Genevieve Goodsil-Todd argues that, “the crisis for LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender] students is a fundamentally spiritual one” (p. 1), meaning that LGBT youth struggle to find themselves within the image and likeness of God. Later, she asserts that, “the moral teachings on homosexuality . . . need not be compromised by programs that provide pastoral care to all students” (pp. 2-3, italics in original).

Her position is problematic, given that Human Rights Watch, (an organization dedicated to protecting human rights internationally) has named Pope Benedict XVI to their 2007 Hall of Shame. Goodsil-Todd does not address, and in doing so dismisses, the spread of harmful myths and misconceptions about LGBT people that descend from the very top of the Catholic hierarchy. Pope Benedict XVI has tremendous political sway over legions of followers. To suggest that Catholic educators can support LGBT students but not challenge church teachings on homosexuality and the spread of harm and hate against LGBT families strikes me as irresponsible. It is like saying that a bridge can be built on quicksand.

To be fair, Bayly’s book is dedicated towards supporting LGBT students in Catholic schools rather than addressing church-based bigotry. Yet, an introduction is a prominent feature of any book, and Goodsil-Todd has written one that casually ignores the Church’s clearly articulated anti-LGBT agenda. As an ex-“born-again” Christian, I can smell the “love the sinner, hate the sin” contradiction when it wafts through the air. It is not simply that the Church opposes homosexuality on moral grounds. Rather, according to Human Rights Watch, Pope Benedict XVI has actively “intervened in politics . . . to condemn . . . equal rights or any form of recognition for lesbian and gay families,” including marriage and adoption of children.

Attempting to foster safety for LGBT students in Catholic schools while not contesting the Church’s teachings on homosexuality and condemnation of gay and lesbian families is thus an ethically untenable position. Cultures of harm and stigma are exacerbated for the very students who are identified in Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students as needing protection. The teachings and political campaigns of powerful religious leaders, among others, validate environments that are already hostile towards LGBT youth in all schools, Catholic or otherwise.

Goodsil-Todd’s dismissal of papal-sanctioned bigotry undermines the very important and valid intent of the book, which is to facilitate the provision of safe learning environments for LGBT youth in Catholic schools. On that purpose, Bayly has edited a comprehensive and timely volume that illuminates issues that are – at least for many – difficult and contentious.

Bayly is the Project Coordinator of the Safe Schools Project, an initiative of theCatholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities (CPCSM)in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although the book is primarily for educators who value gender identity and sexual orientation diversities in society and in Catholic schools, it attempts to appeal to those who do not. Bayly lays out how to facilitate five two-hour sessions that collectively foster inclusive schools for LGBT students and their families. In Session One (Laying the Foundations), participants discuss sexuality diversity, stereotypes, and myths of LGBT people, and recent research findings about LGBT youth in Catholic schools.

Session Two (Defining Safe Staff) focuses on understanding the roles and responsibilities of being an LGBT ally, discussing terms such as homophobia and heterosexism, and highlighting the harm to youth that results from not addressing either.

“Coming out” is the focus of Session Three. The complications and risks of coming out are effectively described, but they overshadow the benefits and rewards. Coming out can benefit both individual students and the school culture as a whole, risks notwithstanding.

Session 4 (The LGBT Reality and the Catholic Church) attends to the vexing questions about biblical interpretation and is applicable broadly rather than only to Catholic contexts. Bayly accurately notes that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality. Prejudice, discrimination, and violence towards LGBT people, disguised as Christian morality and righteousness, are thus unacceptable and biblically unfounded. (Ted Haggard: take note!)

The final session (The Classroom Setting and Beyond) describes strategies for facilitating school cultures of respect, communicating effectively with parents, and forming supportive groups for LGBT youth and youth with LGBT family members. One section is especially effective at drawing connections between various types of oppression expressed in discriminatory language such as “Indian giver,” “retard,” “bitch,” (which looks silly described as “the ‘B’ word”), “fat,” and “that's so gay!” Slurs on the basis of religion, culture, racialized category, ethnicity, or physical ability, among others, could also have been included here.

All these sections would have been useful in 2002 as education for the administrators of Marc Hall’s Catholic public high school. Marc filed a human rights complaint when they did not allow him to take his same-sex partner to the prom, generating a flurry of publicity in the process. In short, he won.

LGBT youth exist in any school, even if they are “in the closet.” In Canada, various teachers’ organizations provide workshops and educational materials on LGBT issues, such as the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation. The website of Gay and Lesbian Educators of British Columbia includes a wealth of resources on LGBT youth issues and how to challenge homophobic bullying. Bayly’s edited volume addresses some questions that are specific to Catholic educators. However, most of the lesson plans, handouts, and activities can be applied to any school context.

Given religiously-based backlash against LGBT visibility in society and legal rights that are equal to, but do not supercede those of heterosexuals (such as so-called “gay marriage” in Canada), Bayly’s book is a useful, essential, and comprehensive manual that addresses issues that are widely perceived as difficult and controversial. For those who are unconvinced, the bottom line is simple: all students deserve to learn in schools that are free of bigotry and violence. Bayly’s book is an excellent step in that direction.

Congrats, Michael, on the mostly good Canadian review. The market for the book is evidently in Canada because their bishops are more enlightened than US bishops.

Interesting issue he raises about the contradiction: a "safe" environment cannot be made within the Catholic Church. True, students are by definition unsafe in an institution that calls their sexual orientation "disordered." Under that logic, parents should not send their GLBT children to Catholic school.

But weren't you addressing the concrete situation of students whose parents actually have put them in Catholic schools not knowing about their child's orientation or not knowing the Church's teaching, or not knowing the potentially harmful conditions?

Surely a school staff can do something to buffer their GLBT students in the concrete situation even though logically the kid should not be there.

Under the reviewer's logic the staff can't choose a strategy of working within an evil system to protect the children. They would have to object to the evil system and get fired.

I established The Wild Reed in 2006 as a sign of solidarity with all who are dedicated to living lives of integrity – though, in particular, with gay people seeking to be true to both the gift of their sexuality and their Catholic faith. The Wild Reed simply invites people to observe and reflect upon one man’s progressive, gay, Catholic perspective on faith, sexuality, politics, and culture.

Search This Blog

Translate

On September 24, 2012,Michael BaylyofCatholics for Marriage Equality MNwas interviewed by Suzanne Linton of Our World Today about same-sex relationships and why Catholics can vote 'no' on the proposed Minnesota anti-marriage equality amendment.

Even though reeds can symbolize frailty, they may also represent the strength found in flexibility. Popular wisdom says that the green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm. Tall green reeds
are associated with water, fertility, abundance, wealth, and rebirth. The sound of a reed pipe
is often considered the voice of a soul
pining for God or a lost love.

Readers write . . .

"I believe your blog to be of utmost importance for all people regardless of their orientation. . . . Thank you for your blog and the care and dedication that you give in bringing the TRUTH to everyone."– William

"Michael, if there is ever a moment in your day or in your life when you feel low and despondent and wonder whether what you are doing is anything worthwhile, think of this: thanks to your writing on the internet, a young man miles away is now willing to embrace life completely and use his talents and passions unashamedly to celebrate God and his creation. Any success I face in the future and any lives I touch would have been made possible thanks to you and your honesty and wisdom."– AB

"Since I discovered your blog I have felt so much more encouraged and inspired knowing that I'm not the only gay guy in the Catholic Church trying to balance my Faith and my sexuality. Continue being a beacon of hope and a guide to the future within our Church!"– Phillip

"Your posts about Catholic issues are always informative and well researched, and I especially appreciate your photography and the personal posts about your own experience. I'm very glad I found your blog and that I've had the chance to get to know you."– Crystal

"Thank you for taking the time to create this fantastic blog. It is so inspiring!"– George

"I cannot claim to be an expert on Catholic blogs, but from what I've seen, The Wild Reed ranks among the very best."– Kevin

"Reading your blog leaves me with the consolation of knowing that the words Catholic, gay and progressive are not mutually exclusive.."– Patrick

"I grieve for the Roman institution’s betrayal of God’s invitation to change. I fear that somewhere in the midst of this denial is a great sin that rests on the shoulders of those who lead and those who passively follow. But knowing that there are voices, voices of the prophets out there gives me hope. Please keep up the good work."– Peter